Council sides with neighbors, denies rezoning

January 24, 2006|Tribune Staff Report

SOUTH BEND -- The South Bend Common Council sided with neighbors and unanimously denied a rezoning in the near northwest neighborhood during their meeting Monday night. Local developer Joe Grabill planned to remodel a set of older homes at the intersections of Madison and William streets into storefront retail and professional offices with apartments. Grabill requested a mixed-use zoning. Neighbors feared that if the developments didn't happen, the broad definition of mixed-use zoning would allow unfavorable developments such as parking lots instead. Several organizations such as the Chapin Park Neighborhood Association, Near Northwest Neighborhood Inc., South Bend Heritage Foundation and the St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Commission were opposed to the zoning. Neighborhood representatives who spoke at the Common Council meeting said they are not opposed to the development but would rather see an office buffer zoning.